Unfortunately looks like I might be out of a job come May, so I need to really set my stall out for the future now. Really wanting a career within the clothing industry, but not sure of the best way to get into it. Being a young entrepreneurial character doesn't really cut it, s'all about needing experience these days. Any help/advice would be appreciated.
I am pretty sure you're not the only one here to be interested in working in this industry. I pretty feel the same : so wish you good luck in your next job :)
As said above mate, sure 80%+ on this board would like to be involved in the industry in some way or another. Depends what your out goings are as to where you could start, I suppose you could start in a retail shop, see how it all works. Work your way up as quickly as possible to better money and more options, as you say it all about experience. If your outgoings aren't alot try and get to college and then 'exploded' onto the scene! I'm trying to get into it...i'm pushing 40, got a mortgage, 3 kids, 2 cars etc,etc so for me to stop earning and get an education isn't happening, so I started out selling clothes out the boot of my motor then I set up a website and was selling on the net at the same time earning a wage in the building game, this year I want to push it further and get alot more stock, get the website over hauled and make it my main income. It takes along time for me but you might be in a better position and in a couple of years could be educated, and or experienced, and flying on your chosen career. Good luck!
I do and like everything there's pros and cons. I fell into by accident started low down the food chain and now get paid a decent wage from it. Took me a long time to get there but stuck at it. Mainly due to my fascination with clothes but also due to dynamic nature of the industry - changes every few months so keeps you on your toes. But believe me behind the glamour and nice stuff there can be a lot of shit to put up with- long hours, working away from home, working with egos the size of small countries.
It's very difficult to give advice on how to get in to it now because it's changed so much in the time I've been working in it. And as mentioned it depends on what you want to do. Retail is poorly paid and you may think that being surrounded by nice kit all day maybe you idea of heaven but it soon wears off - working weekends and no time off at Xmas is shite if you've got nippers. You can't even do work experience these days unless you're on a full time uni degree course in related subject. Design and production is tricky to get in unless you have relevant qualifications and it's very competitive.
I was lucky and although I'm putting a bad vibe out about it I do enjoy what I do now but it took a long time to get there. There are benefits - travel (Milan, Florence, Paris, Berlin), cheap /free kit and a lot of the people I work with are my best friends and will be for life. And I've met and worked with some genuinely incredible people.
Just think about it carefully before you make a drastic decision.
Good luck.
Why add years to your life when you can add life to your years?
My advice would be decide what you want to do but also think about your strengths... are you are a salesmen / a Leader / a Creative?? Knowing where your best suited will save you a lot of time. I've worked on both sides of the industry and I now work in retail management for Burberry. ( Sorry but the comments about retail being poorly paid I find really ignorant!) The luxury brands pay fantastic , working for one of so called indies your not going to get paid well but you get the obvious benefits and product passion that come associated.
I did a fashion related degree and to be honest it means fuckall, work experience is the way forward, and a little bit of commen-sence.
Some good advice from Alex, Tarzan and La Dolce. The way the industries going though I would recommend getting involved with a company/store with a good strong Internet business.
Well, I tell them there's no problem Only solutions
Quote: AlexOtterwell wrote in post #8Some valid points made .
My advice would be decide what you want to do but also think about your strengths... are you are a salesmen / a Leader / a Creative?? Knowing where your best suited will save you a lot of time. I've worked on both sides of the industry and I now work in retail management for Burberry. ( Sorry but the comments about retail being poorly paid I find really ignorant!) The luxury brands pay fantastic , working for one of so called indies your not going to get paid well but you get the obvious benefits and product passion that come associated.
I did a fashion related degree and to be honest it means fuckall, work experience is the way forward, and a little bit of commen-sence.
My comment regarding retail being poorly paid was made out of working in the clothing industry for 18 years and having many associates (including my wife!) who have worked in clothing retail. Even at management level for luxury brands the £ ain't great, but one mans floor is another mans ceiling! I.e. It's all relative and you may be on a decent wedge, good man.
Agree about the qualifications meaning naff all especially when it's in marketing or sales - that's where you have to get your foot in the door and be prepared to 'make the tea' literally for a couple of years, again not getting paid a great deal. That's how I did it but there was also a 'right place at the right time' and 'not what you know it's who you know' factor coming in to play too.
Why add years to your life when you can add life to your years?
Jord your still young, worlds your oyster an all that. Old mate did design at Notts uni an ended up working in belgium for levi then went out thailand not heard from him in years.
Since this place began I have seen a very creative bunch come forward and follow their hearts, including myself, Things have happened in my life that kind of wrote the page for where i wanted to go even though i always knew. Its a hard slog but worthwhile doing what is essentially in your blood, Decide what you want to do, if your young enough try everything, make mistakes and you will find your way. Put yourself out there for free, source for your friends on a small scale getting a name locally, Start blogs and dont worry if they fail, Be creative. Get a Linkedin account set up and join the many groups. that has been invaluable for me, I started with nothing except focus and drive and know what can be achieved, look around at magazines and other forums out there and see what they have achieved, if they can do it then so can you. Try ebay searching for bad listings and relist, bring out a fanzine, approach labels. there are endless opportunities mate, the key is ultimately being yourself and been able to market that. You showed an interest in the shoot we did and will remember for the next one as feel thats what Offhand is about, getting others involved.
I think what most here have said about experience is the main thing to be honest. From what I've seen most of my friends in the business do, they've mostly started working either in a shop or for a brand, doing the basic stuff, and then working their way up, some of them ending up designing, starting their own shop etc. etc.
Personally I've just started working for Norse without any previous experience from retail/clothing industry. As I'm pretty busy with my studies it wasn't something I had planned as such but I guess I had the same interest in the business that you have, and I think the best way is just to start in the small and then see where it takes you.. You definitely meet a lot of people.
The category of the prosumer commodity does not signify a democratization of the media towards participatory systems, but the total commodification of human creativity
Fri Feb 08, 2013 4:57 pm (Last edited: Fri Feb 08, 2013 4:57 pm)
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